A Joint Task Force - Ukraine instructor provides guidance and safety support to a Ukrainian soldier during section attack practice as part of small team training, at the International Peacekeeping and Security Centre in Starychi, Ukraine on March 3, 2017.
Photo: Joint Task Force - Ukraine
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Canada and Ukraine are further strengthening their ties. Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan and Ukrainian Defence Minister Stepan Poltorak have signed what is being called the Canada-Ukraine Defence Cooperation Arrangement.

The bilateral arrangement identifies areas of mutual cooperation such as defence policy; defence research, development, and production; and military education, according to the Department of National Defence.

This week, Defence Minister Poltorak will meet Members of Parliament and Senators, and tour Canadian Forces facilities such as Garrison Petawawa.

Canada has provided a broad range of assistance (development, financial, humanitarian, non-lethal military) to Ukraine, totaling more than $700 million since early 2014, according to the Canadian government. Since September 2015, more than 3200 Ukrainian Armed Forces members have been trained by the Canadian military.